Material-retaining gate



Feb. 11, 1930. E. B. TOLMAN. JR

MTERJ IAL RETAINING GATE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 20, 1928 QZAQf @721672101 FdgarB. Elma Jit b- 1930. -E.YB. TOLMAN, JR 1,745,410

MATERIAL RETAINING GATE Filed Sept. 20, 1928 2 sheets-Shea: 2

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Patented Feb. 11, 1930 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES EDGAR B. TOLHLAN, JR,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS mnrnnmn nn'ramme GATE Application filed September 20, 1928.. semi in. 307,174.

More particularly the same relates to agate of the kind described particularly adapted for use onbins or hoppers where the contained 1 material has a tendency to-pack on the gate and prevent its easy opening. The invention has among itsobj-ects the production of a device of the kind described that is simple, com

pact, inexpensive, easily operated, eflicient and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described Will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end .my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims. a

As mentioned, the gate herein set forth is adapted for use Where the materials gated have a tendency to pack or wedge, particular.- ly when the same may contain some moisture, as for example, ashes, coal or the like,-making 30 it diflicult' to operate the gate exceptthrough the application of considerable power applied to the operating mechanism, thereby requiring greater strength of parts to prevent breakage. With the gate as herein described, 1

the same is so constructed that the same initially breaks the bonding engagement with the material by an initial movement away from the material substantially in the direction of its flow, after which the same may be moved to one side out of the path of the material to permit its discharge in the usual manner. a

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: I I

Fig. 1 is a sectionalv view through a gate and portion of a hopper, showing its application, the gate shown in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the gate after its initial movement drawn away from the face of the material, its position after continued movement being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. etis a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrat- 5. mg a slightly modified construction; and

Fig. .5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the, drawings, in which only two embodiments of the invention are shown, it may be mentioned that in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the gate is controlled by a single lever to affect the initial and secondary movements in openin and the closing, while in the form illustrate in Figs. 05 4 and 5 two levers are shown, one to. bring about the initial movement and the other to control the same'in a secondary movement, the levers-in both instances being adapted to move the gate backtoits closed or operative position. f

Referringfirst to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, for the purposes of illustration'l have shown a hopper consisting of the bottom wall l and the walls 2 and'3, the bottom and side walls 3 terminating to providea "spout 4, and the side I 2 stopping short so as to provide the discharge opening The discharge of material from the hopper is controlled by the rocking gate 5 which, in the construction shown, is supportso ed in such manner that it has a movement in opening that is initially radial and thence transversely or circ-umterentially its pivot point. This movement is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the gate in Fig. 1 is shown in its closed position in the full lines and shown in the dotted-lines after it has been radially moved so that it drops or is moved away from-the material as shown in the dotted line 8 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 also illustrates how it is moved away from the wall 2 so as to clear the wall as indicated at 7 and shows by the dotted lines the position of the gate after it has been moved to' its open position. By moving the same, as described it will be obvious that the gate may be brought into close contact with the bottom wall 1 and the front Wall 2. a

The shaft 6 is mounted in suitable bearings 9 and the gate 5, consisting of the face plate member and the $1118. having the outer flanges 10 and the bearing ortions 11, is carried upon the shaft. nstead of being mounted directly on and rigidly fixed to the shaft 6, the gate is mounted on eccentric bushings 12 which are suitably pinned on the shaft as indicated, at 13, or keyed or otherwise secured thereto, so that when the shaft is rotated the eccentric bushings will rotate with .the same. As the shaft and eccentric bushings 12 are rotated, the gate is drawn away from the material. Arranged on the shaft is an arm 16, the. shaft end 17 thereof bein suitably pinned or keyed to the shaft so't at shifting the arm will operate the shaft 6. The arm, 16 is provided with an operating arm or lever 18, and this may be provided with the operating rod 21 or equivalent means. As most particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the arm 16 is arranged to engage cooperating pins 19. and 20 on the gate sector. When the lever arm 18 is pulled forward, the initial movement rocks the shaft and eccentric bushings 12, the bushiugs turning in the bearings 11 until the arm 16 engages the pin 20,after which the gate rocks with the shaft and moves to one side. In closing the gate, the operations are reversed and the parts brought to raise substantially as shown in Fig. l.

I have shown the bottom plate 1 provided with a steam jacket 22 which may be connected together, pipes 23 and 24 allowing for the admission and discharge of steam or condensate. 1

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the gate and eccentrics-are substantially the same except that in this case arm 26 is provided with collar 25 and pinned to the shaft 6 and an operating arm or lever 27 secured to the arm for rocking the-same similar to the rocking of the arm 16 previously described. However, to provide the secondary movement of the gate, an operating arm 28 is secured directly thereto. In this case the gate is opened by first operating the lever 27 and then the lever 28, and in shutting the gate the lever 28 is first operated and then the lever 27 to bring the gate back in its operative position.

As before mentioned, the device is particularly adapted foruse where the materials have a tendency to pack on the gate and make the operation of the gate diflicult. In this instance the gateis pulled or broken loose from the material and may then be readily moved out of the path of the same,

to permit discharge. It may also be brought up tight against the hopper parts so that the hopper is effectively sealed.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a gate, means for supporting said gate comprising a rock shaft havin bushings fixed eccentrically thereon and movable therewith, said gate ivotally mounted on said bushings, means or rocking said shaft and bushings relative the ate,

and means for rocking the gate with the s aft after an initial movement of the shaft.

.2. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a gate, and means for supporting the same, said supporting means comprising a rotatable shaft, an eccentric bushing mounted on said shaft and movable therewith, said gate pivotally mounted on said bushing, means for rotating said bushing relative the gate, andconnecting means whereby after an initial movement of the bushing the gate is rocked therewith.

3. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a gate, and means for pivotally supporting the same, comprising a rock shaft, bushings fixed eccentrically on said shaft and movable therewith, said gate pivotally mounted on said bushings, means for rocking said shaft and bushings relative the 9d gate whereby the gate is moved radially relative the shaft, and means operative to rock the gate with the shaft after an initial movement thereof.

4. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a hopper having an inclined bottom and rear wall, side walls and a front wall, the lower portion of the front wall terminating above the bottom to provide a discharge opening, a gate for said opening, means for supporting said gate comprising a rock shaft having bushings fixed eccentrically thereon and movable therewith, said gate pivotally mounted on said bushings, means for rocking said shaft and bushings relative the gate, and means for rocking the gate with the shaft after an initial movement of the shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. 1

EDGAR B. TOLMAN, JR. 

